today sentencing follows what private bradley manning's defense called a huge victory, guilty on 20 counts including espionage but not guilty on the mode serious charge, aiding the enemy. he gave wikileaks battle plans, diplomatic cables and this video, a helicopter that killed innocent civilians in baghdad. >> the government is very, very serious about protecting the status of classified information and people who disseminate it are playing with fire. >> reporter: the judge found manning negligent but said he did not intend for the secrets to land in the hands of osama bin laden which they did. still, experts and supporters say the espionage convictions are unprecedented. >> historically the charges have been brought against spies and against traitors and not against people who leaked information to the media. >> it is a serious precedent. it is a serious abuse. it will mean the end of national security journalism in the united states as we know it. >> reporter: the white house and state department had no comment. in the state, the top democrat and republican said justice was served. now